Line spacing device



Dec- 1 1953 J. TOGGENBURGER 2,662,628

LINE SPACING DEVICE Filed Dec. 29, 1949 v 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 7 JOHN TOGGENBURGER A TTOR/VEK Dec. 15, 1953 J TQGGENBURGER 2,662,628

LINE SPACING DEVICE Filed Dec. 29, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. JOHN TOGGENBURGE R A TTORNEV Patented Dec. 15, 1953 LINE SPACIN G DEVICE John Toggenburger, Hartford, Conn., assignor to Underwood Corporation, New York, N. Y., a

corporation of Delaware Application December 29, 1949, Serial No. 135,633

16 Claims. (01. 197-114) This invention relates to line spacing devices for typewriters and particularly of the kind that are predeterminedly adjustable to regulate finely the magnitude of the line feed obtainable at operations of the device.

Devices of this nature are highly desirable when it is required to conform the extent of line feed with the line spacings prevalent on printed forms, and also when a variation of appearance in typed text is called for, for emphasis, etc, or when text is to be crowded or expanded to fill a certain area.

Devices of the stated kind are old in the art, and in most known structures means are employed which at each line spacing operation establish a friction hold on a member that is operatively connected with a paper feeding roll or platen. However, prior devices have the fault that the actual feeding motions given the platen for any given predetermined space setting vary considerably, particularly so if the device is operated with varying power or vigor or varying friction and motion resisting conditions. This failure to give accurate line feed arises in many prior devices mainly from the fact that the start of the actual line feeding motion follows responsive to a friction clutch, or equivalent, taking a friction hold strong enough for the paper feeding roll to turn. in such cases the accurate time or point at which this friction hold becomes strong enough to turn the paper feeding roll is influenced by various factors, but mainly by the degree of vigor with which the device is operated and by the momentarily prevalent friction, inertia and shock conditions in the pertinent mechanism and machine. There are also devices in which some inaccuracy of line feed arises from a relative turning movement of two opposite clutch members during clutch closing action. Other devices lose, at the conclusion of each line spacing advance, control over the platen too early, so that inaccuracy of line feed results from this.

lhe instant invention overcomes all the stated and other diiiiculties, that is, it is for all practical reasons absolute in accuracy.

The principle underlying the device of the present invention and which renders it so accurate is that a space measuring means at the outset of each line spacing operation is firmly clutched to the platen in an accurately predetermined position while the platen remains absolutely stationary, and that subsequently during further operation of the device the platen receives a line feeding motion which is terminated with utmost accuracy, that is, without overthrow or underthrow,

and the latter is so, regardless of immediate withdrawal of operating force on the device following completion of the operating stroke.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a finely variable line spacing device which is reliable and efficient in operation and produces line feeds of practically absolute accuracy.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple line space device of the nature stated which is manufacturable at reasonable cost.

A further object is to provide an efficient, variable line space device of the stated type embodying friction means, such device so constructed that in the operation of the device a platen receives an accurately measured-out, predetermined feeding motion, regardless of varying operating force applied thereto and withdrawal of such operating force immediately at the conclusion of the operation.

In connection with a device of the stated kind, it is also an object to effect a clutching operation between the platen and a space measuring device in a manner so that the latter and the platen are fully quiescent during clutch action.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a. line spacing device of the. kind stated which offers a minimum of resistance to operation and at the same time gives accurate line feeding.

It is also an object to provide in combination with a finely variable line spacing device a standard space detenting feature which can be called into use whenever the device is set to give forth 1, 2 or 3 line spaces of standard size, it being then possible to rotate the platen by its turning knobs to definitely established line spacing positions as in any standard manufactured typewriter.

It is a further object of the invention to provide in combination with a finely variable line spacing device, eflicient means adapted to be called into use whereby the platen after being turned from any typing position, as for making erasures, is thereupon readily restorable to the same typing position.

Referring now to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the left end of a typewriter carriage embodying the line spacing device of the invention,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a part of a clutch closing structure of the line spacing device,

Figure 3 is a plan view of a space regulating mechanism for the line spacing device,

Figure 4 is a sectional side view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 8, illustrating a line space detent device which may be called into use for standard size line spaces,

Figure is a left hand side elevation of the carriage and line spacing device seen in Figure 1,

Figure 6 shows in side elevation a clutch constituting part of the line spacing device of the invention, the clutch being in open condition,

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 6 but the clutch is shown in closed condition,

Figure 8 is a front View of the right hand car riage end, together :with a line space detent wheel for standard size line spaces, and a clutch mechanism to connect or disconnect such wheel from the platen,

Figure 9 is a left hand side elevation showing some of the parts also seen in Figure 5 but in positions they assume immediately after the very outset of a line spacing operation,

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 but the mechanism is at a slightly more advanced stage of operation, namely, the clutch of the line spacing device has just been closed, and the actual line feed of the platen is about to begin,

Figure 11 is also a side elevation and shows the parts of the line spacing device in the positions attained at the end of the line spacing stroke imparted to the platen and before commencement of restoration of the parts to normal positions,

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 11, but some of the parts of the line spacing device are on their return stroke and have opened the line space clutch,

Figure 13 is a front sectional view of the left hand end of the carriage with the line spacing mechanism thereon, taken along lines Hi! of Figure 5,

Finally, Figure 14 is a sectional view illustrating some of the clutch structure of the line spacing device, taken along lines l2i2 of Figure 5.

Now specifically referring to Figures 1 and 2, a platen roll 29 is carried fast on a platen shaft 2| which is turnably supported at the left carriage end in an end plate 22, and at the right carriage end, as seen in Figure 8, in an end plate 23. Said end plates 22 and 23 are mounted fast, as by screws 24, in a carriage frame structure 25 which at the rear includes bearing 26 to run on a frame-supported track 2'1. The carriage also embodies, rising rearwardly and upwardly from the bottom of the platen, a usual paper table 28.

For holding the platen frictionally in any position to which it may be turned, there is secured by screws 29, to the left carriage end 22, a friction detent in the form of a leaf spring 33 which bears against an end-flange 5d of the platen 28. The frictional resistance afforded by the contact of the spring 33 with the said flange 3 3 is strong enough only for the platen to hold its rotative position under the vibratory influences of the machine, and the platen is normally turnable with ease.

The line spacing device of the invention includes a line space measuring arm 35 which is rigidly secured to an end-wall 36 of a clutch drum 3'! by means of rivets 38, or otherwise. The said clutch drum 3'! comprises part of a clutch generally designated by the numeral 45, and by a central bore is turnably carried on a collar M of a clutch flange 2, a screw 43 in said collar serving to fasten the flange 42 on the platen shaft 2|. The space measuring arm 35 in the normal condition of the line spacing device, bears rightwardly in Figure 5, namely forwardly in the machine against a stop pad 44 of soft material.

Additionally to the drum 3'! and the flange 42, said clutch 25, see Figures 6 and 7, comprises within said drum 37 two opposite friction shoes 46 and two friction shoe spreader levers 47. The clutch is of a construction similar to the platen clutch disclosed in the patent to Iielmond, No. 1,225,331, dated May 8, 1917, but its purpose and use is different. The two friction shoe spreader levers fill have therebetween just within the drum 3'1 a knuckle pin 5!, and each of the two spreader levers is operatively connected by a knuckle pin 52 with one of the friction shoes 38. The pins 51, 52 lie in transverse grooves of the spreader levers i! and the shoes 25, and the joints which such pins aiford are floating and are so arranged relatively that spreading of the levers t! at the platen shaft 2i will press the clutch shoes 46 outwardly at great leverage into firm frictional binding contact with the drum 3?. Normally the spreader levers il stand close to the platen shaft 2! as shown in Figure 6, and the shoes 46 exert no outward pressure and are contained loosely in the drum 3! so that the platen is freely turnable to any desired rotative position, by use of conventional turning knobs Q9 and 55 respectively on the left end and the right end of the platen shaft 2 I. As seen in Figure 14, the friction shoes 45 are confined endwise of the platen, loosely between the flange 52 and a disk 53, there being two diametrically opposite spacer studs 54 fast on said flange 42, and screws 55 securing said disk 53 on said spacer studs 54. The flange 42 carries fast thereon, diametrically opposite to the joints afforded by the pins 5!, 52, between the ends of the friction shoes 46, a block 55 which causes the friction shoes 4% and the spreader levers 41 to partake in the rotative movements of the clutch flange 42. Said block 56 is slotted as at 51, and is expandable and contractable between the shoes 46 by a tapered screw 53 located in said slot 51. The screw 58 is adjusted so that in the open condition of the clutch seen in Figure 6 said friction shoes 46 will turn freely with the flange #2 within the clutch drum 37.

Referring now for the moment more particularly to Figures 1, 5 and 14, it will be noted that the clutch drum 3? has rigidly associated therewith a U-shaped strap member 94, the strap member being fastened by screws to tab projecting endwise from the drum 3?. The strap 94 has a central perforation which affords a bearing therefor on the platen shaft 2 I and which bearing supplements that of the drum wall 36 on the collar H so that the clutch drum 3'! is supported to run truly concentrically with respect to the platen shaft 2!. The extremities of the strap 94 provide shoulders contiguous to the disk 53, wherefore the drum 3? is conflned lengthwise of the platen shaft, on one hand by the contiguous relation of the Wall 35 and the flange 42, and on the other hand by the cooperation of the disk 53 with the extremities of the strap 94.

At the outset of each line spacing operation an operating mechanism first causes the line space measuring arm 35 to assume an accurate initial measuring position. This is while the clutch 45 is yet fully open. Thereupon said operating mechanism causes the clutch 35 to close while meanwhile platen 25 still remains stationary and while the measuring arm is held quiescent in said initial measuring position. Only after the clutch i5 is firmly closed does the platen commence to turn, and the extent of turn given the platen is accurately measured and limited by the measuring arm 35. Said operating mechanism may include a manually operable line space lever 65 having a finger piece 66 and being pivotally carried on the carriage frame structure by means of stud iii. link es is connected to a clutch closing structure it that is arranged to turn concentrically with respect to the platen shaft 2| and capable at the same time of axial movement on the latter. The said clutch closing structure it comprises an open frame formed of component members ll and i2, rigidly joined by screws 73 and M, the latter screw being shouldered as shown in Figure 13 for connection of the link 68 to the extending shank thereof. Said clutch closing structure ill is pivotally carried concentrically of the platen shaft 2!, inasmuch as the member ii is turnably carried near the outer end of the platen shaft 2! and since the member '12 is turnab-ly carried on the collar ll of the clutch flang 42. The structure it has normally the rotative position seen in Figure 5, a tension spring 19 urging the structure clockwise into engagement with an abutment provided on the space measuring arm t5, and the latter pressing against the stop pad l i. It will be noted that the clutch is located axially between the two members El and E2 of the clutch closing structure. On the platen shaft 2i, abutting against the inside of the member ii, is an annular element :5 having a taper it for spreading the clutch shoe spreader levers 4? by entrance therebetween. This spreader is slidable axially of the platen shaft 2|. A coil spring i6 interposed between the disk 55; and an annular enlargement ll of the element 75 urges the latter axially on the platen shaft 2! to occupy normally the position seen in Figure 13, wherein the taper 18 is out of contact with the spreader levers 41. The element it in being so urged by the spring 15 gives the structure iii normally the axial position shown in Figure 13, wherein the member 12 is adjoining directly the inner rim of the clutch drum wall 38. t will be seen that the clutch closing structure "it is not only movable concentrically f the platen shaft but is also movable axially of said shaft. The clutch closing structure ill includes on the member 72 thereof two diagonally opposite camming tongues 8i. During the very initial operation of the line space lever 65 said eamming tongues 8! come into contact with rounded edges of the space measuring arm 35 at places diagonally opposite of the platen shaft 2i, said measuring arm 35 having an extension 82 for contact by the lower camming element BI. Upon the stated contact, said measuring arm 35, together with the clutch drum 3?, is driven slightly anti-clockwise of Figure 5 until the hook of a pawl 83 pivotally carried on said measuring arm 35 contacts a lug 8d rigidly carried on a plate 85 concentrically arranged with the platen shaft. Said pawl 83 as viewed in Figures 5, and 9 to 12, is biased in anti-clockwise direction by a very light spring 88 to occupy normally the position seen in Figure 5. With the hook end of the pawl 83 in firm contact against the abutment 84, the space measuring arm 35 is in initial space measuring position. Upon further actuation of the line space lever 65 and consequent further pivotal movement of the clutch closing structure 10 on the platen shaft 2 i, the said structure is forced rightwardly along the axis of the platen shaft The line space lever 55, through a by coaction of the camming elements 8i with the space measuring arm 35. This forced rightward movement or the structure l8 serves to effect closure of the clutch by driving the annular cam member 15 rightwardly along the platen shaft for the tapered end 13 to enter between the spreader levers 4i of the clutch, a illustrated in Figure '7. It will be noted that the cam tongues during clutch closing operation maintain the space measuring arm 35 in the stated initial measuring position, and that the clutch shoes it, due to the opposite outward spread imparted thereto, will clutch the space measuring arm and the platen together without relative disturbance. In this clutching action the positions or the parts seen in Figure 10 are reached, wherein the space measuring arm 35 is still in the stated initial measuring position. However, in Figure 10 the pawl 33 is in the process of leaving the lug 84. This is brought about by a lug $6 on the member 72 of the clutch closing structure which engages a downreaching arm 53? of the pawl 33 to pivotally force the same free of the said lug 8:3. It is to be understood that in the position of the parts seen in Figure 10 the clutch it is in a firmly closed condition so that the measuring arm 35 in effect becomes a part of the platen 25). During further movement of the line space lever 55, after the pawl 83 escapes the lug 84, the clutch closing structure will turn the platen 26 by picking up the space measuring arm 35. Inasmuch a the clutch closing structure l9 moves an appreciable distance while the space measuring arm 35 remains in initial measuring position, it may be said that said arm is moved with a motion lag. Said platen, and thus the arm 35, is turned against the frictional resistance afforded by the leaf spring 33 hearing against the platen flange 34. The measuring arm 35 may be picked up in view of the contact of the tongues EH therewith, providing the clutch d5 permits no further axial movement of the member it, or it may be picked up positively by the uppermost portion of the member H engaging a face 39 of the arm 35. The resistance which the spring 33 offers against turning of the platen is sufficient for the clutch 2-5 to remain closed thereafter. In any event, the measuring arm, as illustrated in Figure 11, strikes finally an adjustable space regulating stop 92. For reduction of noise said stop 93 is provided with a pad 93 of laminations. The measuring arm 35 when driven against said stop 92, is in the final measuring position, and the platen will then have been turned an accurate extent in accordance with the adjusted location or" the stop 92. It is to be understood that in the position of the parts seen in Figure 11 the clutch it is still firmly closed, so that the platen is still under full control by the space measuring arm 35. Overthrow or underthrow of the platen 2a is impossible as will presently become clear. An operator in most instances will release the line space lever 5 as soon as the space measuring arm 35 strikes the stop 92, and a return of the clutch closing structure in and the line spacing lever commences immediately under the tension of the spring 19. Nevertheless, the space measuring arm 35 will remain against the stop 92 for a uflicient interval of time for the platen to come to full rest While the arm 35 is yet against the stop Q2, and, furthermore, the clutch d5 will keep the platen tied to the arm 35 until after the platen has come to full rest in the accurate line spaced position. This sequence of happenings is resultant from the fact that the space measuring arm 35 is picked up with a motion lag by the returning clutch closing structure ill. Namely, during the first part of the return movement of the clutch closing structure '16 efiected under tension of the spring is, the space measuring arm 35 is kept rearwardly pressed by the cam elements 8I, inasmuch as the compression spring I6, as well as clutching tension from the spreader elements 4! on the taper It, urges the clutch closing structure l leftwardly as viewed from the front of the machine. Obviously this leftward pressure exerted by said cam elements BI on the measuring arm 35 tends to keep the same in rearward position. Eventually a the clutch 45 assumes fully open position, the clutch closing structure it comes in contact with the abutment 88 on the space measuring arm 35, and thereupon drives the latter to the normal position seen in Figure wherein the space measuring arm 35 is contacting the stop pad 44, the platen 20 meanwhile remaining in the exact line space position. In the movement to normal position the hookend of the pawl 33, a permitted by the light spring 88, glides idly past the underside of the abutment or lug 8 Referring particularly to Figures 1, 3 and 5, it will be noted that the adjustable space regulating stop 52 is mounted on the plate 85 which for this purpose includes an arcuate web I05 extending concentrically or the platen shaft. The stop 93 is adjustable along the inner side of the web I05 along a slot Hi6, a key or tongue Iii! of the stop extending radially outwardly into the slot. Projecting outwardly through said slot IE8 the said stop t2 has a threaded stud I88. A knurled nut H I on said stud serves to clamp the stop s2 in any position along the slot I06. The stop as is adjustable with reference to either one of two scales il i, H5 on the top side of the plate web Hi5, see Figure 3. The scale H5 is in equivalents of one-tenths circumferential dimensions at the platen, and the scale I It. is in terms of standard size line space obtainable in machines of standard manufacture. The front edge II2 of the stop e2 constitutes an index for cooperation with either of said scales. To set the line spacer or the invention for line spaces of desired dimensions the operator need merely loosen the knurled nut I I I and move the top for the index its to point to the proper place on one or the other of the two scales.

The extent of turning motion imparted to the platen is accurately determined by the motion of the measuring arm as from the position in Figure 9 to the position in Figure 11. For utmost accuracy in controlling the platen motion, the measuring arm 35 cooperates with the lug as and the stop s2 at a distance from the platen center several times greater than the radius of the platen. Inasmuch as the graduations of the scales H4, I55 are correspondingly arranged at multiplied intervals with respect to the size of the line spacings obtainable, it follows that the stop Q2 can be given the desired position with great facility.

It is to be noted that the platen 22:, throughout each line spacing operation, is perfectly controlled to receive the intended line feed, and particularly also that the pickup of the platen is certain and accurate and that there can be no overthrow or underthrow at the end of the line spacing operation.

In typewriting machines of conventional structure the platen is line spaced by a pawl which for the purpose engages a toothed wheel on the platen. In such machines of standard structure it is possible to turn the platen in either rotative direction by platen knobs, and at the end of such turns a spring-urged detent associated with the toothed line space wheel will cause the platen to settle at an accurate line spacing position. While a work sheet is still in the machine, an operator, by turning the stated knobs, thus may turn the platen to different, accurately defined line spacing positions, and erasures and additions may thus be made conveniently in any typing line.

It is conceived to provide in association with a line space mechanism of the finely variable type, means adapted to be called into use at will for detenting the platen at definite standard line feed intervals. This platen detenting means is illustrated in Figures 4 and 8, and includes, adjacent the right hand carriage plate 23 on the extending platen shaft 2 I, a line space detenting wheel IZI. The latter, by means of a friction clutch I22, is adapted to be clutched or unclutched from the platen shaft 2i. The said clutch 522 may generally be of the design shown in the patent to Helmond hereinabove mentioned and includes a control button 23. The said line space wheel 52: has circumferentially spaced V-shaped notches [2d at definite standard line space intervals, and the carriage end 23 bears a spring pressed arm I25 having a roller I26 for detenting entrance in said notches I24. The clutch control button !23 is supported slidably axially of the platen shaft 2! on the laten turning knob 55 by means of short rods I29, which are in control of a spreader cam 28 for clutch shoes similar to those of the clutch $5. In the position of the control button I23 seen in Figure 8, the clutch i22 is open, so that the position of the platen 28 is in no way influenced by the detent wheel I2i. The detenting mechanism is placed in such idle condition whenever the line spacing device is set to give non-standard spaces. When said control button I23 is pressed inwardly, then the detenting wheel i2! will be firmly clutched to rotate with the platen. This clutched condition is or" use whenever the line spacing mechanism is adjusted to give spacings of standard size. It is then possible to turn the platen by the platen knobs :39, 5D to the standard line spacing positions defined by the notches I24 in the wheel I ZI. The space regulating stop 92 need not be given an accurate setting with reference to the standard space scale H6, inasmuch as the pressure of the detenting roll E26 after each standard space line spacing operation will press into the detent wheel notch E24 opposite thereto to turn the platen to the accurate line spacing position. For freer detenting action of the roll 26 on the wheel I2I, the friction detent or spring 33 associated with the left platen flange 33 may be rendered inactive by forward displacement of a con trol lever 336 which thereby flexes the spring 33 from said flange.

The platen detent device of Figure 8 may be used also very advantageously to facilitate restoration of the platen to a particular line position after turning it to advance paper upwardly to make an erasure. This is regardless of the size of spacing for which the line spacing device has been set. It calls for closing the clutch I22 prior to advancing the paper. The detent wheel I2I is as a result clutched to the platen in a definite relation, so that when the platen after effecting the erasure is turned back approximately to the previous position, the detenting action of the roll I26 on the wheel I2I will finally gem a r.-

place the platen in the correct rotative position. The detent wheel I25 after such use is again unclutched from the platen shaft. Obviously, if desired, the friction spring may be temporarily released for the time the detent wheel i2i is clutched to the platen.

While the invention has been described with reference to the details shown in the drawings, it is to be understood that it is susceptible of modification and change, and comprehends other constructions and details for accomplishing the new results.

What is claimed is:

1. In a finely variable line spacing device for a machine having printing ,instrumentalities, the combination with means movable to effect line feeding of paper relatively to said printin instrumentalities, of a reciprccatory space measuring means, two space measuring abutments defining space measuring limit positions for said measuring means, an. actuating means having opposite reciprocary movements for reciprocating the measuring means, means for said actuating means in each of said opposite reciprocatory movements to engage and to pick up said measuring means with a motion lag to move it oppositely between the said limit positions, clutch means between said movable means and said space measuring means, and means controlled by said actuating means to close said clutch means during one of said motion lags and to open it during the other said motion lag.

2. The invention set forth in claim 1, and means eliective incidental to closing said clutch means to locate said measuring in one of said limit positions, and eiiective incidental to opening said clutch means to locate said meas uring means in the other limit position.

3. In a finely variable line spacing device for a typewriter or similar machine, the combination with a shaft, of means comprising a space measuring arm mounted to reciprocate concentricall-y of said shaft, two space measuring abutments defining for said arm the limits of a space measuring are, a reciprocatory actuating means mounted to move concentrically of said shaft, for reciprocating said arm, means for said actuating means in each of its reciprocatory move ments to engage and pick up said measuring arm with a motion lag for movement through said are, clutch means between said arm and said shaft, and means associated with said actuating means to close said clutch means during one of said motion lags and to open it during the other motion lag.

c. The invention set forth in claim 3, and means to locate said measuring arm at one limit of the measuring arc while the clutch means being closed and to locate said arm at the other limit of the measuring arc while the clutch means is being opened.

5. In a finely variable line spacing device for a typewriter or similar machine, the combination with a shaft, of means comprising a space measuring means mounted to reciprocate concentrically of said shaft, two abutments defining for said measuring means the limits of a space measuring are, clutch means between the said measuring means and said shaft, a reciprocatory actuating means for said measuring means mounted to move concentrically and also longitudinally of the axis of said shaft, means of association between said measuring means and said actuating means for the latter in each of its reciprocatory movements to engage and lit pick up said measuring means with a motion lag for movement through said arc, and also to cause axially opposite movements of said actuating means during said two motion lags, and means controlled by said axially opposite movements of the actuating means to close and to open said clutch means respectively.

6. The invention set forth in claim 5, said means of association comprising cam means for causing the axially opposite movements.

7. The invention set forth in claim 6, said means of association including means to bias said measuring means during clutch closing action against one abutment and to bias it during opening action against the other abutment. 8. In a finely variable line spacing device for a machine having printing instrumentalities, the combination with means movable to eifect line feeding of paper relatively to said printing instrumentalities, of line space measuring means for said movable means, limitedly operable and restorable, clutch means for connecting said measuring means with said movable means, means defining for said measuring means in each line spacing operation an accurate initial space measuring position, and an operating mechanism for said clutch means and said measuring means, comprising, means to locate said measuring means in cooperation with said defining means accurately in said initial space measuring position against operation, means to close said clutch means thereafter while maintaining the measuring means located, means to incapacitate said locating means thereafter, and means subsequently to operate said measuring means to the operating limit of the latter with the clutch means remaining closed.

9. The invention set forth in claim 8, said operating mechanism having a restoring movement, and including means effective during such movement to release said clutch means while maintaining the measuring means at the limit of operation, and means thereafter to restore said measuring means.

10. In a finely variable line spacing device for a typewriter or similar machine, the combination with a paper feed roll, of line space measuring means for said roll, limitedly operable and restorable, clutch means for connecting said measuring means with said roll, means to stop temporarily said measuring means at each line spacing operation in an accurate initial space measuring position against operating movement, and an operating mechanism for said clutch means and said measuring means, comprising, means first to operate said measuring means until stopped by said stop means accurately in said initial space measuring position, then to close said clutch means, then to incapacitate said stop means, and then to operate said measuring means to the operating limit of the latter with the clutch means remaining closed.

11. The invention set forth in claim 10, said operating mechanism having a restoring movement, and including means effective during such movement first to release said clutch means while maintaining the measuring means at the limit of operation, and then to restore said measuring means.

12. In afinely variable line spacing device for a typewriter or similar machine, the combination with a paper feed roll, of line space measuring means for said roll limitedly operable and restorable about the axis of said roll, clutch means for connecting said measuring means with said feed roll, means to stop temporarily said measuring means at each line spacing operation in an accurate initial space measuring position against operating movement, and an operating mechanism for said clutch means and said measuring means including a means swingable coaxially of said feed roll, first to operate said measuring means until stopped by said stop means accurately in said initial space measuring position, then to close said clutch means, then to incapacitate said stop means, and then to operate said measuring means to the operating limit of the latter with the clutch means remaining closed.

13. In a finely variable line spacing device for a typewriter or the like, the combination with means movable to effect line feeding of record material, of a space measuring means movable from an initial space measuring position to a final measuring position to measure out a line space movement to said movable means, a normally open friction clutch between said space measuring means and said movable means, means to hold said movable means located against frictional resistance in any position to which it is moved, and means to control and operate said space measuring means and said clutch, comprising, means operable to locate and hold said measuring means first definitely in said initial measuring position and then to close said clutch with the measurin means so held located, means to actuate thereafter said measuring means to its final measuring pos tion with the clutch re maining closed, wherefore the movable means is actuated to a new line space position, means cooperative directly with the measuring means to hold then the latter located in said final measurine position and additionally effective while the measurin means is so held located to o en said clutch fully, wherefore the movable means remains in the new line space position while the clutch is being onened, and means to restore thereafter the s ace measuring means with the clutch maintained open.

14. .Tn a finely variable line s acing device for a ty ewriter or the like. the combinat on with means movable to effect line feeding of reco d material, of a space measur n means movable through a snace measurin stroke from an initial space measurin position to a final s ace measurin osition. to measure out a line space move ment to said. movable means. friction means associi ed with said movable means to hold it impositively in any o ition to which it is moved. an o erating control, means res onsive to said. control to im art with an initial time la a s ace measurin stroke to sa d meas rin means and then to impart with a further time lag a return stroke to said measuring me ns, means directly coo erative with sa m asurin means to ho d the latter during said first time la at said in al space measuring osition and to hold it dur ng said further time lag at said final snaoe measuring position. a normallv o en friction clutch bet een said space measurin means and said movable means, and means o erated by said res onsive means during said first time lag to close said. clutch and o erated by said responsive means during said second time lag to o en fully said clutch for a return stroke of said measuring means free of said movable means.

15. In a finely variable line spacing device for a typewriter or the like, the combination with feed roll means, a turnably mounted element for driving said feed roll means, and knob means for turning said roll means, of a space measuring means coaxially mounted with said element for pivotal movement through a space measuring stroke from an initial space measuring position to a final space measuring position, to measure out a turning motion to said roll means, friction means associated with said roll means to hold it with light resistance against turning, an operating control, means responsive to said control to impart with an initial time lag a space measuring stroke to said measuring means and then to impart with a further time lag a return stroke to said measuring means, means directly cooperative with said measuring means to hold the latter during said first time lag at said initial space measuring position and to hold it during said further time lag at said final space measuring position, a normally open friction clutch between said space measuring means and said element, and means operated by said responsive means during said first time lag to close said clutch and operated by said responsive means during said second time lag to open fully said clutch for a return stroke of said measuring means free or" said element and said roll means.

16. In a finely variable line spacing device for a typewriter or the like, the combination with a feed roll and a turnably mounted element for driving said feed roll, of a space measuring means coaxially mounted with said element for pivotal movement through a space measuring stroke from an initial to a final space measuring position, to measure out a turning motion to said element and said roll, an operating control, means responsive to said control to impart with an initial time lag a space measuring stroke to said measuring means and then to impart with a fur ther time lag a return stroke to said measuring means, a normally open friction clutch compris ing two normally separated clutch members ar ranged coaxially with said element and said measurin means, one such clutch member con nected to turn with said element and the other connected to turn with said measuring means, said clutch also including an element operable lengthwise of the axis of said clutch members in one direction to close said clutch members and restorable in the opposite direction to open said clutch members, and means controlled by said responsive means during said initial time lag to operate said clutch element, and controlled by said responsive means during said further time lag to restore said clutch element, said controlled means arranged to operate on said clutch element without exerting a turning moment on the clutch members.

JOHN TOGGENBURGER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,202,094 Ordonez Oct. 24, 1916 1,312,053 Tingley Aug. 5, 1919 1,567,226 Barney Dec. 29, 1925 

